City · Ohio

Sylvania, Ohio

Sylvania, city, in Lucas County, Ohio. Sylvania had 18,883 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 19,011 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 19,055 (±50). GEOID 3976022.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

18,883

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,011 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,055 ±50

Median household income

$100,189

±$9,208 (90% margin)
Ohio: $71,389

Median home value

$249,200

±$10,152 (90% margin)
Ohio: $214,800

Median gross rent

$1,072

±$65 (90% margin)
Ohio: $1,034

Where is Sylvania and what county is it in?

Sylvania is a city in Lucas County, Ohio. It covers 6.7 square miles of land, 2,852 residents per square mile in 2020.

Sylvania is in the Toledo, OH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Sylvania lies entirely within Sylvania Township, a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).

Sylvania (marked with a dot) in Lucas County, Ohio. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Sylvania, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 18,883 people lived in Sylvania on July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, while Ohio grew 0.9%. The 2020 Census counted 19,011 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 19,055 (±50).

  • July 2020→2021 +1 (19,020)
  • 2021→2022 −16 (19,004)
  • 2022→2023 −13 (18,991)
  • 2023→2024 −116 (18,875)
  • 2024→2025 +8 (18,883)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure SylvaniaLucas CountyOhio Change since 2015-2019
Total population 19,055 ±50 428,018 11,810,293 −88
Households 7,512 ±265 183,243 4,863,191 no clear change
Average household size 2.46 ±0.09 2.29 2.37 no clear change
Housing units 8,008 ±319 200,998 5,292,391 no clear change

Sylvania's population since 2000

From 18,670 in 2000 to 18,883 in 2025: up 1.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Sylvania as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 18,670
  • 2005 (estimate) 19,117
  • 2010 Census 18,965
  • 2015 (estimate) 19,031
  • 2020 Census 19,011
  • 2025 (estimate) 18,883

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Sylvania?

The median resident of Sylvania is 40.1 years old; 25.6% are under 18 and 20.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.9%. 5.9% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure SylvaniaLucas CountyOhio Change since 2015-2019
Median age 40.1 ±2.6 38.5 39.7 no clear change
Under 18 years 25.6% ±2.2 pts 22.8% 22.0% –
65 years and over 20.7% ±2.1 pts 17.6% 18.3% –
Male 48.5% ±2.0 pts 48.6% 49.3% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% ±1.9 pts 7.8% 4.8% no clear change
White alone, not Hispanic 83.6% ±3.2 pts 66.1% 75.8% −4.9 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 3.6% ±2.5 pts 18.9% 12.0% –
Asian alone, not Hispanic 3.1% ±1.4 pts 1.7% 2.5% no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.1% ±0.1 pts 0.0% 0.1% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.1 pts 0.0% 0.0% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 3.5% ±1.3 pts 4.9% 4.3% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.1% ±0.1 pts 0.4% 0.4% –
Born outside the United States 5.9% ±1.6 pts 4.0% 5.2% no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 8.2% ±1.8 pts 6.1% 8.0% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 4.8% ±1.2 pts 5.9% 6.6% –
With a disability 8.1% ±1.4 pts 15.4% 14.4% –
No health insurance coverage 3.2% ±1.2 pts 4.9% 6.4% no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 97.9% ±0.8 pts 91.5% 91.8% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 51.9% ±3.4 pts 29.4% 31.5% +5.4 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 23.8% ±2.3 pts 11.3% 12.2% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 86.8% ±4.0 pts 87.5% 88.1% –
Moved from another state in the past year 2.4% ±1.0 pts 2.1% 1.6% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Sylvania earn?

Half of Sylvania's 7,512 households earn less than $100,189 a year (±$9,208), against $62,224 in Lucas County and $71,389 in Ohio. In 2015-2019 it was $94,669 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure SylvaniaLucas CountyOhio Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $100,189 ±$9,208 $62,224 $71,389 no clear change
Mean household income $120,766 ±$6,214 $87,001 $96,990 –
Per capita income $48,261 ±$2,694 $37,575 $40,552 no clear change
People below the poverty line 5.6% ±1.7 pts 17.7% 13.3% no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line 7.1% ±4.0 pts 25.4% 17.8% no clear change
Households receiving SNAP 3.8% ±1.4 pts 16.4% 12.5% –
Households with a computer 96.5% ±1.2 pts 94.4% 94.4% –
Households with a broadband subscription 94.9% ±1.4 pts 89.4% 90.1% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Sylvania?

Owners occupy 77.6% of Sylvania's occupied homes and renters 22.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $249,200 by its owner (±$10,152). The median renter pays $1,072 a month including utilities, and 28.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure SylvaniaLucas CountyOhio Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $249,200 ±$10,152 $163,900 $214,800 +$29,152
Median gross rent $1,072 ±$65 $934 $1,034 no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 28.4% ±6.3 pts 37.0% 37.3% no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $1,778 ±$71 $1,394 $1,517 –
Owner-occupied homes 77.6% ±2.7 pts 62.0% 67.2% +4.0 pts
Renter-occupied homes 22.4% ±2.7 pts 38.0% 32.8% –
Housing units 8,008 ±319 200,998 5,292,391 no clear change
Homeowner vacancy rate 1.9% ±2.0 pts 0.8% 0.8% –
Rental vacancy rate 7.7% ±5.5 pts 5.1% 4.4% –
Single-family detached homes 68.1% ±3.8 pts 68.2% 68.8% –
Mobile homes 0.6% ±1.1 pts 2.1% 3.4% –
Built 2020 or later 1.6% ±0.6 pts 0.7% 1.1% –
Built 2010 to 2019 3.6% ±1.4 pts 4.0% 5.6% –
Built 1939 or earlier 6.1% ±1.7 pts 23.7% 19.0% –
Households with no vehicle 3.3% ±1.3 pts 8.6% 7.5% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How do people in Sylvania work and get to work?

73.1% of Sylvania's workers drive alone and 18.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure SylvaniaLucas CountyOhio Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 65.0% ±2.4 pts 63.0% 63.1% –
Unemployment rate 3.9% ±1.4 pts 6.3% 4.8% no clear change
Drove alone to work 73.1% ±3.8 pts 78.6% 75.1% –
Carpooled 5.6% ±1.7 pts 8.9% 7.5% –
Public transportation 0.8% ±1.0 pts 0.8% 1.0% –
Walked 2.1% ±1.1 pts 1.6% 2.0% –
Worked from home 18.1% ±2.9 pts 8.9% 13.0% +13.4 pts
Mean travel time to work 21.9 min ±2.2 20.5 min 23.4 min no clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What census tracts are in Sylvania?

8 census tracts lie mostly in Sylvania, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $56,648 (Tract 82.10) to $143,182 (Tract 82.06).

Census tracts in Sylvania, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (the 12 with the most residents inside it; every tract on the full list)
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Sylvania
Tract 82.09Lucas County2,889 $116,477 $282,200100%
Tract 82.06Lucas County3,540 $143,182 $350,50079%
Tract 82.04Lucas County2,628 $95,785 $218,800100%
Tract 82.05Lucas County2,583 $142,791 $274,200100%
Tract 81Lucas County3,810 $73,797 $158,30065%
Tract 82.07Lucas County2,077 $79,566 $246,30085%
Tract 82.08Lucas County2,971 $129,844 $411,30052%
Tract 82.10Lucas County1,602 $56,648 $161,80084%
Tract 83.04Lucas County2,718 $96,152 $355,60024%
Tract 92.04Lucas County5,602 $169,125 $416,1008%
Tract 92.03Lucas County3,498 $161,500 $360,7004%
Tract 92.06Lucas County2,832 $137,813 $255,4004%

Every census tract in Sylvania, with its figures

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Sylvania) · Census block assignment files

How does Sylvania compare with other places in Ohio?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Sylvania is the 2,033rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 94th-most populous of 923 in Ohio.

Sylvania ranks 275th of 1,699 places in Ohio with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Sylvania's rank in Ohio (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate94th923
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)939th1,589
Residents per square mile93rd1,734
Median household income275th1,699
Per capita income267th1,729
Median home value438th1,707
Median gross rent377th1,453
Poverty rate953rd1,116
Bachelor's degree or higher126th1,613
Median age1,090th1,727
Owner-occupied share970th1,732
Work from home214th990
Travel time to work1,213th1,731

Sylvania's figures with every place in Ohio (CSV)

Every place in Ohio, sortable · Compare Sylvania with other places

Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How reliable are the figures for Sylvania?

8 of the 57 figures for Sylvania on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.

The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Sylvania are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Sylvania.